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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Bella Gil

Bella Gil, Culture Editor

Bella is a CAS junior studying Journalism and English. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she still wonders how she made it all the way across the country and back. She is a devoted lover of all things Nintendo and unironically loves a classic round of Fortnite. When not gaming or doing schoolwork, she is roller-skating. Though you won’t see her on the street this semester, she’s still probably thinking about what she’s going to wear tomorrow even though she’s just going to be home. If she likes you enough, she’ll make you a batch of cookies. She loves to learn and is always open to new experiences and conversations. Follow her on Instagram @bellamaegil, she’ll talk with you about (literally) anything.

All content by Bella Gil
Being a world-renowned fashion event, New York Fashion Week brings thousands of attendees from around the world to the city every year. This year, with the ongoing pandemic situation, the Beauty & Style section at Washington Square News has decided not to cover the gathering. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Why WSN Will Not Cover New York Fashion Week In-Person This Year

Culture Editor Bella Gil discusses the reasoning for not covering in-person shows at NYFW S/S 2021.
Bella Gil, Culture Editor September 11, 2020

New York Fashion Week has historically brought thousands of attendees from around the world to the city every year, but 2020 is no ordinary year. With how the ongoing coronavirus...

Tisch first-year Steven Zambon experiences his mandatory 14 day quarantine in his Lipton Hall. Students share and reflect on their experiences with the 14-day quarantine in NYU dorms. (Photo by Steven Zambon)

Students Reflect on Quarantining in NYU Housing

From doing everything to doing nothing, these students share how they’ve occupied their time in housing before the semester starts.
Bella Gil, Culture Editor August 31, 2020

Move-In Day for students living in NYU’s residence halls this year was probably the most different it’s looked in NYU’s history — to say the least. Students returning to...

WSN is compiling resources that may be of help during this semester. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Coronavirus Outbreak Resources for the NYU Community

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a lot of information can get lost in the panic. WSN has compiled a list of resources that could possibly be of use to the NYU community. Email [email protected] to help expand this list.

Many members of the NYU community have been irreversibly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, either because of the virus itself or the university’s response to it. Students...

Students pack up their belongings in preparation to move out of their dorms. Many students returned home, while others stayed with relatives and friends.
(Staff Photo by Leo Sheingate)

Where Did You Go? Students on Being Kicked Out of Housing

After Andy Hamilton’s March 16 email alerted students to move out of residence halls by March 22, students find short-term housing in friends’ apartments and family nationwide.
Bella Gil, Culture Editor March 23, 2020

Last Monday on the first day of Spring Break, all NYU students received an email from President Andrew Hamilton with updates on what procedures NYU had been taking regarding COVID-19....

Sloomoo is an interactive pop-up exhibit in Soho that is all about slime. (Staff Photo by Bella Gil)

Explore NYC’s Newest Slime Pop-Up

All you need to know about Sloomoo Institute, Soho’s interactive slime experience.
Bella Gil, Culture Editor February 3, 2020

It’s squishy, it’s sticky, it ... smells like pumpkin pie — or wait, is that Christmas Tree? No … definitely Fruit Loops. Actually, it’s slime. Yes, slime, the stuff...

Replace the old-fashioned leather Moto jacket with a trendy leather blazer this winter. (Photo by Talia Barton)

NYU Trend Report: New Decade Edition

Welcome back, Violets. What will we be wearing this semester?
Bella Gil, Culture Editor January 27, 2020

As the decades come and go, to our Gen Z luck, certain forgotten trends ebb and flow. Items we never wanted to be caught wearing are now at the top of our lists, and those we used...

Staff Rants and Raves: NYU Facilities

Staff Rants and Raves: NYU Facilities

NYU owns a lot of property, from residence halls with no heat to libraries that block out the sun to dining halls that can’t pass inspections. Read what our staff has to say about NYU’s campus.

Rants On Being a Thirsty Gal By Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor Hydration is key, folks. But the architects of Bobst Library don't seem to understand this ethos, as they...

Nina Dobrev dresses up as Billie Eilish for Halloween. (Via Instagram)

How To Disguise Your Normal Clothes as a Costume

Basic is better than nothing.
Bella Gil, Beauty & Style Editor October 28, 2019

It’s Halloween and you told yourself you were going to wear your costume all day. You’re staring at your reflection in the dimness before your 8 a.m. class and you just can’t...

A couple dress up as Harley Quinn and The Joker. As the new Joker movie came out earlier this October, the notorious DC Comic character became one of people's top choices for Halloween costume. (Via Wikimedia)

Halloween 2019 Costume Predictions

What are NYU students going to be wearing this year?
Bella Gil, Beauty & Style Editor October 24, 2019

There’s always a handful of costumes that stand out when Halloween rolls around. Whether you’ve been planning for months, or just succumb to whatever your group’s doing,...

Butt masks on display at Lush Cosmetics. (Photo by Tomer Keysar)

I Tried Butt-Skincare so You Don’t Have To

Sorry TLC, but in this case, I do want a scrub.
Bella Gil, Beauty & Style Editor October 7, 2019

It seems like you can’t walk down the street or open an app on your phone without seeing at least one ad for the latest skincare item. In 2019, these items aren’t just for...

(Staff Photo by Julia McNeill)

I Love Pretty S/S 2020

Bella Gil, Beauty & Style Editor September 12, 2019

Designer Yang Juan’s I Love Pretty S/S 2020 Collection swept down the runway Friday, and each look was more extravagant than the last. Tulle frills mixed with leather harnesses...

First-year students share if the first day of school outfit is important to them in college. (Staff Photo by Min Ji Kim)

The (Un)Importance of a First-Day-of-School Outfit

Don’t let the planning drive you crazy; nobody else will remember it anyway.
Bella Gil, Beauty & Style Editor September 5, 2019

This time last year, the members of NYU’s class of 2023 were beginning their last first days of high school. In high school, the first-day fit was everything. Does its significance...

A woman wears a stylish water-proof  PVC coat.  (Staff Photo by Jorene He)

How Students Stay Stylish in the Rain

April showers bring stylistic dilemmas.
Bella Gil, Staff Writer May 2, 2019

Navigating the sidewalks of New York City in the rain is unpleasant enough, but after your favorite white sneakers get drenched in dirty runoff water and your thrifted silk blouse...

Everyone complains about NYU buses being late, but what about NYU's other free transportation? NYU Bike Share Program offers a way to get around, especially for people who live in dorms that are far away from campus. (Staff Photo by Jorene He)

Campus Bike-Share Rides Under the Radar

A free campus bike program benefits recreation over pollution.
Bella Gil, Staff Writer April 15, 2019

Since the weather’s getting nicer, take a bike ride! Unknown to many, NYU has its very own program that allows students to rent bicycles for free. “We can use bikes...

League of Linguistics Students at NYU is an undergraduate linguistics student organization. (via Twitter)

LOLS Club Makes Languages Heard

What better place to dissect how humans speak than a campus with incredible linguistic diversity?
Bella Gil, Staff Writer April 2, 2019

Though LOLS may be the most popular example of shorthand text lingo, the acronym stands for something else at NYU: League of Linguists Students. The club, open to anyone in...

A woman wears coral earmuffs in the streets of SoHo, New York. (Photo by Jorene He)

Living Coral Splashes Into 2019

Coral is making a comeback.
Bella Gil, Staff Writer January 28, 2019

The ultimate authority on color, paint brand Pantone, recently named Living Coral the 2019 Color of the Year. The bright orange-pink hue is a stark contrast with last year’s...